After freshman Buzz Anthony (Arnold, Md./Archbishop Spalding) sank a pair of free throws to start the scoring for R-MC, VWU used a 9-2 spurt to take a 9-4 lead with 15 minutes left in the first half. The advantage was 14-8 before a three-pointer by Adams and a layup by senior Daniel Noe (Fairfax, Va./Bishop Ireton) made it a one-point game at 14-13 with 9:20 remaining. The Marlins used an 18-7 run to go up 32-20 with 2:25 left before a trey by junior Luke Neeley (Orange, Va./Woodberry Forest) made the score 32-23 at intermission. Adams had five points and five rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

Two layups by junior Darryl Williams (Columbia, Md./Glenelg Country) and a three-pointer by Turner made up a 7-2 run as R-MC cut the deficit to four at 34-30 with 15:45 left in the second half. VWU used a 15-4 run to extend its lead to 49-34 with 7:10 remaining. The Marlins were ahead 53-38 before the Yellow Jackets scored 10 straight, five by Turner, to trail 53-48 with 47 seconds left. Three-pointers by Neeley and Turner made it 55-54 with six seconds remaining. VWU hit one free throw with five seconds left before Adams missed a long trey at the buzzer to make the final 56-54.

The Yellow Jackets shot a season-low 33% from the floor (20-61) and committed 17 turnovers, two away from their season high.

Randolph-Macon returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. for a home ODAC contest with Emory & Henry in a battle for first place in the ODAC in Crenshaw Gym. It will be Senior Day, as the Yellow Jackets recognize forward Daniel Noe and manager Brennan Kayes. It will also be Alumni Day, with the annual alumni game at 11 a.m. Saturday will be the 10th Annual Matt Davis Foundation Game, with proceeds from ticket sales and raffles going to the Matt Davis Foundation. A reception will follow the game in Alumni Gym.